Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) fails to protect the residents living on TI.

The Treasure Island Development Authority (TIDA) has for the longest time tried to make some sense at Treasure Island (TI) but the progress has been very slow.

Yesterday, in Room 400 the TIDA Board of Directors met and in a nonchalant manner address the key issues facing Treasure Island.

Normally, under the Brown Act the Public is permitted to speak after each item. But, the TIDA, Directors have opted for their own cozy method - where they can speak all they want - but, when it comes to the residents that live on the Island and the constituents of San Francisco - they have wait to the end - for General Public Comment.

Never mind if few have the retention power to hold their thoughts for a hour or two and then speak. Many a time on topics that are some what complicated and if they are simple - made complicated by corrupt SF City officials.

I wanted to comment on the report of the Director of Island Operations and the report by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development - but, was told that I could not.

So, I went about my business but made sure I timed myself so that I could arrive for General Pubic comment. Earlier some residents of Treasure Island (TI) had prepared a through report on "Crime on Treasure Island". I read the report and wanted to hear the complaints in person. What I heard was not good from the 10 or so residents that had come to testify.

The Latino residents are constantly abused, assaulted, and robbed. This nonsense must stop. I am sending this article to Chief of SF Police, Heather Fong and I have already announced these concerns before the SF Police Commission - yesterday. I have requested Deputy-Chief Murphy to first investigate and then to put in place actions - that will target the "thugs" and bring a halt to criminals preying on innocent civilians at Treasure Island.

Treasure Island is a toxic island and many of the "toxic hot spots" have yet to be abated. The housing that is mostly inferior was built by United States Navy temporarily - that still has jurisdiction over Treasure Island. The housing has been leased to entities like the John Stewart Company, a Property Management Magnet - that rakes in millions.

Willie L. Brown Jr. the "thug Mayor" of San Francisco chose to take over TI at one time - to carry on some dubious extra-curricula activities. He and his mistress soon learned that operating TI was easy. At one time he had Anne Marie Conroy carried on ploys, doing what she does best - catering to the filthy rich and not taking care of business.

Gavin Newsom the pro-queer Mayor chose first to dabble with Tony Hall requesting him to give up his Supervisor's seat - sitting Sean Elsbernd his stead - making Tony Hall the Manager of Treasure Island. Anne Marie Conroy who had no experience what so ever - was made HEAD of the Office of Emergency Services. Many of us still remember the hat trick.

Nothing much has changed at Treasure Island, except that those in good books with Mayor Gavin Newsom get whatever they want. The John Stewart Property Management - makes millions renting thousands of homes, at the Presidio of San Francisco, still more from exploiting innocent poor folks living in Single Residential Occupancy Hotels in the Tenderloin, Public Housing in the Western Addition, the Northridge Cooperative at Hunters Point - and hundreds of other units all over the City and County of San Francisco.

The bulk of the residential units at Treasure Island are controlled by the dubious John Stewart Company. Other block of units are controlled by other non-profit organizations. For Fiscal Year 2009-2010 rental income is projected to be over $10 million. Over $6 million is generated by the John Stewart company.

Hundreds of organizations ply their trade on Treasure Island and pay rent. The only Child Care center on TI has lost money and wants to fold up. However, TIDA wants to help the Child Care center and keep it open.

There is a Supermarket and some Public Transportation that has to be tweaked - but let us say MUNI has agreed to cross the Bay Bridge and provide the Island's constituents, public transportation for now.

The SF Fire Department uses the U.S. Navy fire equipment for training and this is critical to training. In recent months there have been four arson fires where homes have been burnt. Numerous other units have had windows and door broken into. Damage from boarded up units in on the increase.

On the plus side - 37 Corporate Events were held at TI and over 90 weddings. TI has large Warehouses were the Film Industry has been welcomed and many movies filmed. TI has large facilities for exhibitions and other events - and hundreds of these have been held.

TI provides facilities for Recreation and many avail themselves. Many families will drive to TI for a couple of hours and get away from the City of San Francisco. You do get the best view of the City of San Francisco from Treasure island. The island has boating facilities and other sport facilities - former U.S. Navy facilities now put to good use.

The main issue to be addressed by the City and County of San Francisco is about jurisdiction. The United States Navy has jurisdiction over Treasure Island. The U.S. Navy want to sell Treasure Island and the City and County wants it conveyed for little or no money. Time will tell.

After all these years there is still NO a concrete Term Sheet Agreement.

After all these years no concrete Environmental Impact Report.

There has been a lot of talk and very little action. Dubious groups many with a hidden agenda have been fooling the constituents of San Francisco. Much like what is happening at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard at Bayview Hunters Point.

The Director of SF Planing sits on the TIDA board when he can be addressing pressing SF City Planning issues.

The Director of Recreation and Parks wastes his time sitting on the inept TIDA meetings.

The Director of SF Redevelopment Agency has pressing issues to solve but takes his ass to the TIDA meetings - where mundane issues cannot be solved.

Douglas Shoemaker who is all over the place must get his priorities straight and not be used - he can deal with the hundreds of folks that have fallen prey to foreclosures in San Francisco and address issues with affordable housing. He sits on this inept Board and tries to twiddle dee - twiddle da.

Behind the scene the same Rogue Developer, Lennar that has declared bankruptcy at Mare Island after ten years. Promising to build 10,000 and not delivering and declaring bankruptcy after 10 years - wants to develop Treasure Island and build 80 story buildings. Treasure Island is a man made island. It is prone to liquefaction and flooding. Note, the year 2012 when Treasure Island will be jolted.

Lennar is the same Rogue Developer that continues to poison our children and elders at Hunters Points Naval Shipyard - bombarding a wide area with Asbestos Structures. Of course baby faced, Owen Stephens would know little about that - and what would Mirian Saez who earns over $200,000 care about people of color suffering at the hands of Lennar? It is a pity how these transplants make their money while turning their backs on San Franciscans and tax payers of San Francisco. Accommodating crooks like the John Stewart Company and pandering to thugs like Lennar and other developers.

Bottom line those that pay their rent, are decent citizens - be they Latino that cannot speak English or recent immigrants - their rights must be protected and let us NOT permit "thugs" to assault innocent residents at Treasure Island. More permit the many arson cases, burglaries, assaults, larceny, sex offenses, vehicle theft, robberies, dog attacks, stay away violations, telephone threats, stalking, public nuisance and more - all documented and available for the public at large. These statistics must be posted on the web site below for full accountability and transparency:

http://www.sfgov.org/treasureisland


Francisco Da Costa
Director
Environmental Justice Advocacy